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Saturday, April 2, 2011

Lilac is blooming

It took two months from bud break, but our lilac (Syringa vulgaris ‘Blue Skies’) is finally blooming. I wish I could digitize its fragrance and attach it to this post!

Those of you living in more temperate climes probably don’t quite understand why I’m making such a fuss about this, but lilacs are still relatively uncommon in the warmer parts of California because they can be difficult to grow here. Luckily, more and more low-chill hybrids like our ‘Blue Skies’ are becoming available. Personally, I’m waiting for a yellow one like ‘Primrose’. Or a low-chill re-bloomer like ‘Bloomerang’.

To me, there are few plants that smell as good as lilacs. In fact, I can only think of two: violets, and citrus trees. Speaking of which: It shouldn’t be long now before our orange, lime and lemon trees begin to bloom.